I PUSHED THE REAR DEFROSTER BUTTON AND ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER THERE WAS THIS SMALL POP NOISE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DASH. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND LOOKED INTO THE VENT AND SAW A FIRE ABOUT 3 INCHES HIGH. I GOT MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF OUT OF THE CAR RAN TO THE NEAREST HOUSE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPT AND BY THE TIME T…
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I PUSHED THE REAR DEFROSTER BUTTON AND ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER THERE WAS THIS SMALL POP NOISE AND SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE DASH. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND LOOKED INTO THE VENT AND SAW A FIRE ABOUT 3 INCHES HIGH. I GOT MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF OUT OF THE CAR RAN TO THE NEAREST HOUSE AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPT AND BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE (7 MIN LATER) THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10091056
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2003
Visibility
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION WIPERS STARTED SMOKING, AND STOPPED WORKING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10031587
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2002
Visibility
RIGHT REAR-VIEW MIRROR EXPLODED. EXPLOSION SO LOUD AND FREIGHTENING THAT I THOUGHT A BOMB HAD HIT MY CAR. I WAS 2 BLOCKS FROM MY DRIVEWAY. I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AS I THOUGHT ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF CAR WAS DESTROYED FROM JUST THE SOUND OF THE EXPLOSION. THERE IS NOT A MARK ON MY CAR NOR THE OUTSIDE OF THE MIRROR FRAMING. THE MIR…
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RIGHT REAR-VIEW MIRROR EXPLODED. EXPLOSION SO LOUD AND FREIGHTENING THAT I THOUGHT A BOMB HAD HIT MY CAR. I WAS 2 BLOCKS FROM MY DRIVEWAY. I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AS I THOUGHT ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF CAR WAS DESTROYED FROM JUST THE SOUND OF THE EXPLOSION. THERE IS NOT A MARK ON MY CAR NOR THE OUTSIDE OF THE MIRROR FRAMING. THE MIRROR ITSELF WAS BLOWN TO DUST. THE ENTIRE MIRROR FRAMING, ETC. WAS LEFT HANGING DOWN AND HELD ON BY A SMALL PLUG-IN TYPE RECEPTACLE JUST BARELY HANGING ON TO A BLOWN OUT PLASTIC HOLE FROM THE CAR. I HAVE NO REAR VIEW MIRROR NOW ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I HAVE THE ENTIRE MIRROR MOUNTING IN M BACK SEAT AND 3 MECHANICS HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. IT WAS THE WORST EXPLOSION I'VE EVER HEARD, BUT I'M THANKFUL THE GLASS HURT NO ONE NOR CAUSED ANY DAMAGE. MY CAR LOOKS FINE, EXCEPT THERE'S A BARE SPOT WITH A FEW BLASTED HOLES WHERE ONCE THERE WAS A MIRROR. THANK YOU. *AK
NHTSA ODI #759034
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting
TRAVELING @65 MPH ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. WOULD NOT START UNTIL 3 HOURS LATER THEN IT WAS HARD TO START. PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE GROUND UNDER PASSENGER SEAT. CAR STILL WAS HARD TO START NOW THE DEAL CLAIMS IT IS THE FUEL PUMP REGULATOR. VERY UPSET WITH THIS EXPERIENCE. OTHER PROBLEMS SEEM TO HAVE CROPPED UP DUE TO THIS GROUND…
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TRAVELING @65 MPH ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. WOULD NOT START UNTIL 3 HOURS LATER THEN IT WAS HARD TO START. PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE GROUND UNDER PASSENGER SEAT. CAR STILL WAS HARD TO START NOW THE DEAL CLAIMS IT IS THE FUEL PUMP REGULATOR. VERY UPSET WITH THIS EXPERIENCE. OTHER PROBLEMS SEEM TO HAVE CROPPED UP DUE TO THIS GROUND PROBLEM SUCH AS ALTERNATOR FAILURE, HEADLIGHTS FAILING TO THE ON POSITON, POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT WORK AND OF COURSE THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL REGULATOR. THIS GROUND SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AND I AM SURPRISED THERE HAS NOT YET BEEN A RECALL. THE COMMON THREAD CAN BE SEEN IN THE COMPLAINTS LODGED ON YOUR INTERNET SITE.*AK
FROM THE NIGHT WE DROVE THE CAR HOME WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS/ DASH LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEN WE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING , HORN. UPON REPAIR WORK IN MARCH OF 1999 WE WERE SHOWED AND TOLD THAT THE DASH HAD BEEN BROKEN OUT BEFORE AND WIRES HAD BEEN CUT INTO. WE HAVE…
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FROM THE NIGHT WE DROVE THE CAR HOME WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HEADLIGHTS/ DASH LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEN WE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT WORKING , HORN. UPON REPAIR WORK IN MARCH OF 1999 WE WERE SHOWED AND TOLD THAT THE DASH HAD BEEN BROKEN OUT BEFORE AND WIRES HAD BEEN CUT INTO. WE HAVE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH LACK OF POWER UPON PRESSING ACCELERATOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #719876
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2000
Visibility
VENTILATION SYSTEM IS DESIGN SO BADLY THAT OUTSIDE FUMES ALWAYS ENTER INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL VENTILATION SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #857882
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesVisibility
CONSUMER REPORTING A RENTAL VEHICLE FROM HERTZ/ CONCERNING FOLLOWING PROBLEMS, 1) LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY; 2). FUEL VAPORS LEAKING INTO VEHICLE, AND 3) TRUNK LID WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY,CAUSING EXHAUST VAPOR ENTERNING THE VEHICLE. REPORTED THESE CONDITION TO NHTSA. RENTAL VEHICLE LOCATED IN ST. PAUL, M…
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CONSUMER REPORTING A RENTAL VEHICLE FROM HERTZ/ CONCERNING FOLLOWING PROBLEMS, 1) LEFT SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY; 2). FUEL VAPORS LEAKING INTO VEHICLE, AND 3) TRUNK LID WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY,CAUSING EXHAUST VAPOR ENTERNING THE VEHICLE. REPORTED THESE CONDITION TO NHTSA. RENTAL VEHICLE LOCATED IN ST. PAUL, MN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #842525
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 1999
Visibility
VEHICLE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUCNTIONED DUE TO A OVERHEATED MOTOR CONDITION, RESULTING FROM UNDERSIZED MOTOR DESIGN. *YC
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3800 V6 (L36) ENGINES AND CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, THE REGULATORS HAVE A MUCH HIGHER THAN USUAL RATE OF FUEL LEAKS. A LEAK CAN ALLOW FUEL TO ENTER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH A VACUUM LINE. IF THE ENGINE DOES NOT START WHEN CRANKED, THE FUEL FROM THE LEAKING REGULATOR AND A MISTIMED SPARK CAN CAUSE A BACKFIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE BACKFIRE CAN RUPTURE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE RUPTURE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAN DISPLACE A FUEL LINE, PULLING AN INJECTOR OUT OF PLACE, AND CAUSING A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH IMPROVED DIAPHRAGMS. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASED MAILINGS. PHASE 1 BEGAN ON JUNE 30, 2004, AND PHASE 2 BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
PE02050 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Jun 13, 2002 · Closed Oct 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
No summary supplied.
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